Torn Achilles

Yep, that’s right - another injury in the Dailey house. 

2 weeks ago, Jayden’s basketball coach scheduled a “parents vs. boys” game for our end of season party.  We thought this was a great idea. Jeff plays basketball with Jayden at the park and works out regularly so thought nothing of getting on the court with the other brave parents to take on the kids.  Game was going great for the first few minutes and then Jeff insisted that someone threw a ball at his ankle... He could barely put pressure on it, it just didn’t feel right.  We kind of thought it was funny because he was so dramatic about “who kicked me” and “who threw a ball on the court”. He didn’t step back onto the court.  We iced it that evening and it was apparent that it wasn’t getting better so he saw a sports medicine doctor on Monday.  He was certain that it was a torn Achilles so the doctor put him in a boot and of course he ordered an MRI.  The MRI was scheduled for Friday with a follow-up appt. with the same doctor on Monday.  At the follow-up appointment, Jeff was told that he had a partial tear and that he’d need to see a surgeon…  We should have just started with an orthopedic surgeon to begin with because the news that is coming next did not make us too happy.  Not only did Jeff have a full torn Achilles, but the sports medicine doctor put him in the wrong kind of boot.  Had he of been referred to a surgeon to begin with instead of trying to treat Jeff, he may not have even had to have surgery.  He possibly could have been put in a cast right away for it to heal on its own but since he continued to walk on it, drive, etc. for over a week, he possibly made it worse. Anyway, Jeff was able to see the surgeon last Wednesday and have surgery the same day.  At first the Orthopedic Surgeon thought he wouldn’t be able to do the surgery until the 25th because he is on vacation this week for Spring Break but after leaving the room briefly to check the schedule, he came back and said “unless you want to do it today”… I got the call at work at 8:30 from Jeff saying “I’m having surgery in 2 hours”…. Ahhhhhhh, OK??

I rushed out of work to get home to pick him up to take him back to the hospital… Several phone calls and texts to some important folks to inform them (but mainly ask for prayer), lots of paperwork (pre-registration, insurance verification, etc.) a few hours later… and a little stress, they called him back.  Our amazing pastor came right away to be with us and pray with us, he is so great.

After 90 minutes or so (who’s counting), the doctor came and said that he was in recovery and that all went great.  He was able to successfully repair it - thank GOD!  He’ll be in a cast (with crutches) for 2 weeks and then in a boot for a minimum of 10 weeks.  He cannot put any weight on it whatsoever.  I had to wait another hour or so before I could go to recovery to see him.  All the nurses were amazing. I finally got to see him and he was wasted… you see, Jeff’s never been drunk so seeing him in this state was too funny.  I’m sorry friends, I did not record it.  He was in that recovery area for another hour or so and then moved to another room for the final recovery stage… this took forever. I seriously didn’t think we were ever going to 

leave the hospital.  Apparently they had another emergency or something because we were left alone for almost 2 straight hours.  No one came to check on us and there was not a sound in the hallway.  For a minute, I thought maybe they all left for the day and forgot about us.  I finally peeped out there and they assured me they’d be coming in to discharge him soon.

He was finally discharged around 7:00 pm I guess and we headed home.  He’s never used crutches before so that was a bit tricky… just coming off anesthesia + being loopy on pain medication + trying to use crutches = not a pretty site…

Every few hours he’s been taking pain medication and doing quite well. So far, he's not had to deal with massive pain. The kids have been a tremendous help since the surgery. We had to cancel our out of town plans for the later part of Spring Break but they didn’t care, they were just worried about Daddy getting better.  He has a terrific boss now (thank God) that is allowing him to work from home until he gets his cast off and is off the crutches.  Since it’s his right foot, he won’t be driving any time soon so we are making car pool arrangements for when he has to go back to the office in a few weeks.  I was able to get an exception this week as well and am allowed to work from home to help take care of him.  Since moving into a new group last month and being told that working from home is NEVER allowed, I am very very grateful for this opportunity and that they allowed this exception for me.

Please keep Jeff in your prayers.

Before Surgery 

After Surgery

Update on the kids real quick…

Kiarra is doing well.  She has more tests the end of this month to ensure her brain activity is back to normal and that she’s fully healed from the concussion.  She had to sit out of a volleyball tournament 2 weeks ago which about killed her. She is slowly getting back into practicing and doing strength and conditioning so hopefully by the end of this week she will be back at it 100%.

Jayden finished up his basketball season with Katy Youth Basketball. All in all he had a great season. He’s now playing AAU and just had his first tournament this past weekend.  Neither Jeff or I were able to go of course but according to the other parents, he played great and hustled.  That’s all I can ask for!

Taryn is back in dance and is loves it.  This girl has music playing in her soul 24/7.  She couldn’t wait to get back to school today to see her friends.  Spring Break was so boring for her. She has been the biggest helper since Jeff’s surgery, I think she has a future career as a nurse or something in the medical field. She claims she wants to be a teacher but this girl has serious compassion for people… time will tell…